National Endowment for the Arts Awards 1,029 Grants for Arts Projects Nationwide

Includes $20,000 Awarded to the Center City District Foundation

PHILADELPHIA (June 14, 2017) — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $20,000 to the Center City District Foundation to support the creation of Pulse, a unique and dynamic installation in the fountain of Dilworth Park at City Hall.

“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as the Center City District Foundation in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”

Designed by internationally-recognized sculptor Janet Echelman, Pulse draws inspiration from the site’s historic association with water and transportation, and traces with curtains of colored mist across the fountain the movement of trains beneath the surface. In addition to adding a destination work of art for visitors, residents, and workers in Center City, this original installation provides donors with a major naming opportunity for Dilworth’s fountain.

“The Center City District Foundation (CCDF) is honored and extremely appreciative of the NEA’s support,” said Nancy A. Goldenberg, Executive Director of the CCDF. “The Center City District (CCD) has already installed major parts of the infrastructure necessary to support this artwork and has set aside funding to match private donations in order to launch the first phase in 2018. This $20,000 grant from the NEA clearly demonstrates the national importance of Pulse and will help advance the project toward full installation.”

For more information on all the projects included in the NEA grants, please go to arts.gov. For
more information on CCDF’s art project, please go to Pulse at Dilworth Park. To learn more
about CCDF, please go to supportccdf.org.

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The Center City District Foundation (CCDF) is a 501(c)3 organization and is the charity of choice for engaged citizens who care deeply about the vitality and competitiveness of Center City. Working together with the Center City District and the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, CCDF supports initiatives that improve the quality of life and make downtown Philadelphia unique and engaging.

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The Center City District (CCD), Central Philadelphia Development Corporation (CPDC) and Center City District Foundation (CCDF) work together to enhance the vitality and competitiveness of Philadelphia's downtown. In 1991 the business leadership organization CPDC created the CCD business improvement district to deliver daily services with the goal of making Center City clean and safe. This helped transform Center City into a vibrant 24-hour downtown, attractive to businesses, residents, students, shoppers and tourists. In addition, the CCD is responsible for the management of Dilworth, Sister Cities, John F. Collins and Cret Parks, four extraordinary public spaces in the heart of Center City. CCDF, the charitable affiliate of the CCD, was launched in 2016 to support the next generation of public space improvements in Center City Philadelphia.